6 Ways to Balance Your Cortisol Levels by Carly Reeder

Cortisol is a steroid released from the adrenal glands during the fight-or-flight response (stress response). Chronic stress can cause cortisol imbalances that can lead to different ailments such as:

Reduced tissue repair

Chronic pain

Calcium to be leached from the bone

Suppressed immune system

Reduced skin regeneration

Thyroid imbalance

Disrupted hormonal balance of estrogen and progesterone

Increased fat cells

Killing of nerves and dendrites relating to learning and memory

Pauline N. Harding, explains in her article, How to Age Rapidly or Not, how cortisol acts likea circadian rhythm. Normally, the highest levels of cortisol are in the morning, and the lowest levels are at nighttime. However, fight-or-flight can cause higher cortisol levels at nighttime and lower levels in the morning. The “awake feeling” at bedtime and “drowsy feeling” in the morning can be due to cortisol imbalance.

Dr. Harding has found some of the major causes of cortisol imbalance:

Skipping breakfast

Skipping a meal

Eating more carbs than protein in a five hour period

Having a flexed (slouched) posture with the chin forward

Staying up past 10 PM

Being emotionally stressed

Being in pain

Dr. Harding recommends these six guidelines below, which I have expanded a little upon, to keep your cortisol balance in check:

1. Go to bed by 10 PM. Staying up passed 10:00 PM can throw your cortisol levels out of whack. The best hours for sleep are between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM. Also, watching violent and dramatic TV shows at nighttime can ignite the fight-or-flight response. I suggest having a relaxing routine before you go to bed. Try to turn off your computer and TV an hour before bedtime. Take a hot shower or bath. You can add some lavender to your bath or lotion. Read a book (not an iPad) or practice meditating. Try to have all electronics unplugged in your bedroom when you go to sleep. Don’t have any caffeine passed 2:00 PM.

2. Eat breakfast by 7 AM.Many people skip breakfast or do not eat a wholesome breakfast. Having a protein smoothie first thing in the morning can help jump start your day. Stay away from white flour and high sugary breakfasts. You can find a breakfast smoothie recipe if you download, Healthy Natural Diet, at www.wholebodyglow.com.

I try to have one palmful of protein and two palmfuls of whole grains at each meal. I add a medium-large salad for at least two meals. I like to have my fruit in a breakfast smoothie in the morning. I also have fruit with some protein, such as nut butters or organic cheese, for snacks. You can find out more on how to have a complete meal by downloading, Healthy Natural Diet, at www.wholebodyglow.com.

5. Maintain a good posture and avoid sitting for long periods of time and fetal position at night.If you sit at a desk all day, it is crucial to make sure that you have correct posture. Here is a link to see how to sit correctly at your desk:http://www.livestrong.com/article/88933-correct-posture-desk/ When sitting at a desk, it is recommended to get up twice in the hour to walk around.

Practice yoga or Pilates a few times a week.

6. Control pain.There are many different causes for pain. Some pain can be managed by getting a massage or acupuncture treatment weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. Meditation and deep breathing can also help.

Simply by following the guidelines above, you will be able to manage your stress levels. Try following these 6 recommendations for one month and see how you feel. For more information, please contact me at www.wholebodyglow.com.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and is in no way intended for medical advice or as treatment or cure for any disease or health condition and should not be construed as such. Always contact a medical or health care professional before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, exercise, supplement use, or anything related to your health and well-being. You assume all risks for the use, nonuse, or misuse of the information found in this article and release Carly Reeder and all affiliates from any and all claims, liability, cause of action, damages or costs for personal injury, wrongful death or property damage.

Carly graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a BA in Psychology. There, she studied health and stress psychology. After college, Carly received certification in two different 200hr yoga teacher trainings, the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®, Pilates and massage therapy. Committed to continuing her studies, she has become quite the expert on relieving, coping with and managing stress. Carly has developed her own multifaceted program which she calls: Whole Body Glow. She combines the most productive and useful techniques from all the different modalities she has learned. She pulls from nutrition, yoga, Pilates, physical therapy, ayurveda, massage, meditation and more. You can find her blogs, videos and more at www.wholebodyglow.com.